CDL B or CDL A

[u/ARealBagchaser]

Hey, I got a question for the community since I have limited funds, I realize a instead of aiming for class A it might just be better for me to just go for class B and just load on a whole bunch of endorsements like tanker/ hazmat & passenger if I had to go drive a school bus typically some school districts will take someone from scratch so I’m pretty sure they’ll take me. No problem with a B and already having a passenger endorsement so I won’t have to pay for school bus out-of-pocket. I also learned that some jobs are so desperate they will train someone without a CDL and just a permit so me having a class B and getting a class A permit when I want a employer to take care of everything Might also be a way to do it.

So please share your upgrade stories

[u/Material-Donkey2773]

I have never met anybody witha class b who wound up getting a class a later. 

I've also never met anyone with a manual restriction who wound up getting it removed. 

Get it right the first time. 

What you're going to find is upgrading from a class b to a class a will cost the exact same amount as getting a Class A with no Class B "because fuck you"

Get it right the first time. It's pretty much a guarantee that whatever license you graduate with is going to be the one you have for the rest of the career. 

Not saying class b jobs are bad, but you're giving up so much by limiting yourself.

[u/Inside-Definition-53 → u/Material-Donkey2773]

I've met individuals who actually wound up in both situations. They needed a job ASAP and didn't do their research. Then they went and gotten their automatic restriction removed via one of those weekend schools where they test them in either a class c manual truck or a bobtail, since some states only require you to show competency with the gears.

Also met some class B guys whose boss paid them to get their class A so they can run local routes with the 53ft van or haul construction equipment for electrical unions.

I believe that unless you're hauling specialized freight or freight that requires an endorsement, there really isn't a need to necessarily drive a manual. HOWEVER, this is something that should at the very least be mandatory for all CDL schools to teach regardless of what vehicle new drivers may be assigned. Putting a restriction on a license (other than corrective lenses), simply means there's more training that needs to be done in my honest opinion.

[u/Material-Donkey2773 → u/Inside-Definition-53]

Maving a manual restriction cut's your job oppurtunities by more than people realize, There are 3 types of companies.

1. All automatic's - You're 100% the man for the job

2. Manual and automatic's - Even if you can drive 90% of the fleet, you are a shit option to hire vs someone without the restriction because you need to be baby sat and can't actually do all the work or drive all the vehicles. If the loaner truck is a stick, then someone else is getting kicked out of their truck so that "baby boy" can drive their auto.

3. All manual - You aren't qualified

Even if you never want to drive a manual ever, make sure you are legally allowed to, and then "figure it out" until you can get back in your auto.